Spacing mechanism for mail-matter.



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J. T. LYNCH & G. E. BOLTON. SPAGING MBOHANISM FOR MAIL MATTER. APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 20, 1911.

1,035,715. Patented Aug 13,1912.

3 BHEETS'SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA FLANOGRAPM $0., WASHINGTON, D. c

J'. T. LYNCH & G. E. BOLTON. SPAOING MECHANISM FOR MAIL, MATTER.

APPLICATION FILED P3120, 1911.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

,2; gm y/ Mao COLUMBIA PLANOOIIAPH CO., WASHINGTON D- C.

J. T. LYNCH & G. E. BOLTON. SPAGING MECHANISM FOR MAIL MATTER. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20, 1911,

1 ,O35,71 5, Patented Aug. 13,1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

vanced between the two.

UNITED STATESEgATFNT OFFICE.

JOHN T. LYNCH AND GEORGE E. BOLTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO THE B. F. CUMMINS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SPACING MECHANISM FOR MAIL-MATTER.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that we, JOHN T. LYNcII and GEORGE E. BOLTON, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spacing Mechanism for Mail- Matter, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which corresponding numerals of reference in the different figures indicate like parts.

Our invention has reference to postmarking and canceling machines and our object is to provide novel means for so acting upon any mail pieces which may have passed the separating mechanism without having been separated, as to cause all but one to be withheld for a predetermined period so that they may be delivered successively to the marking die and the cancellation of all insured. WVe accomplish said object by means of a special spacing mechanism adapted to be actuated by the moving mail-pieces and placed by preference in close proximity to the marking die.

To these ends our invention comprises the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1, is a plan view of a portion of a post marking machine, Fig. 2, is a like view showing the coacting parts in different relative positions, Fig. 3, is a vertical sectional view taken upon the line 3, Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrow there shown, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the trip fingers and clamping jaws.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a portion of the table of a canceling machine upon which is mounted the usual rotary marking die 2, arranged to eoact with an impression roller 3 and a feed-belt 4, the latter being mounted in a well known way upon pulleys not shown. A guard or shield 5, of any approved construction is arranged to coact with the belt to support the mail pieces upon their edges as they are ad- A fiat spring 6 forming a yielding backing for the belt is arranged to press against the latter for the purpose hereinafter stated. Feed rollers 7 and 8 are mounted upon shafts 9 and 10 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 20, 1911.

Patented Aug. 13,1912.

Serial No. 609,727.

respectively which are connected by means of universal joints 11 and 12, Fig. 3, to vertical shafts 13 and 14, adapted to be driven in opposite directions. The shafts 9 and 10 are journaled in sleeves 15 and 16, having arms 17 and 18 which are pivoted beneath the table to studs 19 and 20. The table is slotted as shown at 21, Fig. 3, to provide for a lateral movement of said sleeves. Flat springs 22, 23 are arranged to press against the arms 17 and 18 respectively for the purpose of pressing the feed rollers 7 and 8 against each other with a yielding pressure. Metal hoods or fittings 24, 25, are rigidly attached to the sleeves 15 and 16 so as to overhang and partially inclose the feed rollers. Trip-fingers 26, 27, are pivoted at 28, 29, to the fittings 24, 25, and are so constructed as to cross the letter-path in opposite direction and preferably, to interlock with each other at their forward ends. For this purpose the finger 26 is notched as shown at 30, Figs. 3 and 4, and the finger 27 is provided with a tongue 31 fitted to enter said notch. The rear ends of said fingers are slotted as shown at 32, 33 to engage with pins 34, 35 upon bent or elbow-shaped jaws 36, 37 pivoted at 38, 39. Flat springs 40, 41, are arranged to bear against laterally projecting shoulders 42, 43, upon the trip-fingers to hold them normally in the interlocking position shown in Figs. 1 and 4. This action results in holding the rear ends widely apart and with them the meeting faces of the pivoted jaws 36, 37. It will be observed that the tripfingers and jaws are so placed with reference to the mail-piece path that the line of'intersection of the former and the line of contact of the latter is substantially in the same vertical plane with the inner or contact face of the feed-belt, the purpose of which adjustment will be stated in describing the spacing operation.

Our improved device is adapted and by preference, is intended to be used in conjunction with any form of separating mechanism known to the art and when so used it serves to supplement the latter by spacing any two or more mail-pieces which may, from any cause, have remained together while passing the preliminary separating mechanism.

The operation of said device is as follows: When two mail-pieces are advanced in the letter-path as shown in Fig. 1, they are first brought into contact with the feed rollers 7 and 8 and advanced thereby into contact with the trip-fingers which they press between and spread apart as clearly shown in Fig; 2. This movement results in forcing the rear ends of the trip-fingers toward each other and thereby mo ing the clamping jaws 36, 37, so that their acting faces will press 10 against the mail-pieces from opposite sides. Inasmuch, however, as the face of the 36 does not protrude beyond the inner face of the feed-belt no appreciable effect is had thereby upon the mail-piece next to said belt to retard its movement while the pressure from the opposite direction by the jaw 3'7 tends to press the first mail-piece, with more than normal force against the feed belt which is backed by the spring 6 and the large friction surface of the belt which is in contact with said mailpiece causes it to be advanced toward the marking die. On the other hand, the second mail-piece is gripped by the jaw 37 and held thereby until the 5 former is carried forward to permit its fellow to be pressed against the feed belt and advanced in succession.

In the example illustrated we have shown one form of letter controlled-timing finger to be utilized, for timing the action of the impression roller but as this forms no part of our invention we make no claim thereto.

By means of our improved device we are enabled to greatly lower the percentage if not to wholly eliminate what are known as skips in mail marking, most of which are caused by the sticking together of damp or flimsy mail-pieces so that the action of the ordinary separator is inefiectual in causing their separation.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with means for advancing mailpieces endwise in a predetermined path, of trip-fingers located upon opposite sides of said path, means for yieldingly holding the forward ends thereof diagonally across said path, laterally movable normally open gripping members pivoted upon the opposite sides of said path and means for actuating the same by said trip-fingers to close when 7 the latter are opened by the action of a mailpiece.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a feed-belt for advancing mail pieces endwise in a given path adjacent thereto, of trip-fingers located upon opposite sides of said path, laterally movable yielding supports therefor, means for yieldingly holding the forward ends of said tripfingers across said path at intersecting angles, normally open opposing gripping mem- 6-5 bers pivotally mounted upon opposite sides of said path, the meeting faces of said members when closed being in substantial alinement with the inner face of said feed belt, and means for operatively connecting said gripping members with said trip-fingers.

In a device of the class described, the combination with a vertical feed-belt, for advancing mail-pieces endwise in a path adjacent thereto, of trip-fingers located upon opposite sides of said path, laterally movable supports therefor, springs for pressing said. supports toward each other, means for yieldingly holding the forward ends of said fingers across said path, normally open opposing gripping members pivotally mounted upon said laterally movable supports, said fingers and gripping members being located with respect to the path in position to press a passing mail-piece laterally against said belt and means for operatively connecting said gripping members with said trip-fingers.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with a vertical. feed-belt for advancing mail-pieces endwise in a path adjacent thereto, of trip-fingers located upon opposite sides of said path, laterally movable supports therefor, springs for pressing said supports toward each other, means for yieldingly holding the forward ends of said fingers across said path, normally open opposing gripping members pivotally mounted upon said laterally movable supports, the meeting faces of said gripping member being located substantially in the plane of the feed-belt, means for operatively connecting said gripping members with said trip-fingers and a spring-pressed backing for said feed belt to press its working face against a mail-piece against the opposing action of the gripping member located opposite to the vertical plane of said feed belt.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a vertical feed belt for advancing mail-pieces endwise in a path adj acent thereto, of feed-rollers mounted upon laterally yielding vertical shafts located upon opposite sides of said path, means for yieldingly pressing said shafts toward each other, fittings supported upon said shafts to move laterally therewith, opposing trip-fingers pivotally mounted upon said fittings, means for yieldingly holding said tripfingers across said path, gripping members pivotally mounted upon said fittings, and means for operatively connecting the same with said trip-fingers.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a marking die, of a feed belt for advancing mail-pieces thereto, 1'25 yielding trip-fingers immediately preceding said die, means for normally holding the forward ends of said trip-fingers in the mailpiece path from opposite sides there of, laterally movable opposing gripping 13o members located upon opposite sides of said path, and means for connecting the same with said trip-fingers to cause the 0p- In testimony whereof, we have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 18th day of Februposing faces of sald members to be moved ary 1911.

toward each other to press a ainst a mail- 7 piece when said fingers are separated by gg -J such mail-piece whereby when two mail- J T pieces are presented the one in contact with Witnesses:

the belt may be advanced andthe other HARRY I. PRQMER, withheld.

JENNIE L. FISKE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0." 

